POTD: The Colt Used To Do More Than Guns

I learnt something new today. Professional Adventurer and TFB contributor Claymore sent me this photo and wrote …

Note I did not take the photo. It was taken by the friend of mine that goes with me on my adventures. Three of these were found in a very old building in Connecticut.

Photo is of a COLT switch installed in an old building. Yes that Colt the firearms manufacturer. (see writing on the bottom edge for logo and address.)

Apparently Colt was a big manufacturer of switches, fuses and fuss boxes under the Colt NOARC brand. I Google’d around and found these photos, mostly on ebay where there is a healthy trade in Colt memorabilia.

Thanks Claymore.

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StylishFever

On a similar note: I remember reading somewhere that Mattel picked up some slack during Vietnam and manufacturered M16’s. I wonder if it’s true. I always find this kind of stuff interesting.

Patrick R.

Not true.

StylishFever

I figured as much. Can you imagine if Mattel was stamped on the side of your rifle? I don’t think the grunts would have stood for it.

tts

Supposedly they made some of the furniture and grips for early M16’s but had nothing to do with final gun assembly nor did they sell the military/market any guns either.

StylishFever

I buy that.

DW

What if i tell you AAV-7 was made by Food Machine Company

Oldtrader3

FMC has made everything from tools to rockets!

Don Ward

The Mattel myth can be attributed to the 1968 John Wayne movie “Green Berets” in which The Duke dramatically smashes an “M-16” to prevent its capture by the Viet Cong. A Mattel “M-16 Marauder” toy gun was used as a prop.

Those were from the Colt Industries era. Despite the name, the firearms division was probably the smallest concern of the parent company, the former Fairbanks Whitney. Fairbanks Whitney was formed by the Fairbanks Morse company after it successfully defended itself against a hostile takeover by Penn-Texas. Fairbank Morse’s defense was so successful that it swallowed up Penn-Texas’s holdings instead, including Colt and Pratt & Whitney.

John

What about Colt 45 malt liquor? Now THAT’S a classic!

Isaac Arnold

THAT’s funny.

eric ellquist

Back in the late ’60’s, I started working as an electrician in New England. Used to see these things in old factory buildings from time to time. Haven’t seen one in years. Thanks! Brings back memories, E.R.Ellquist

town22

With all that history behind, filing for bankruptcy and the new loan, it’s a wonder they’re above water. For how long?

Michel_T

For as long as they have influential friend within government… Isn’t that how it works?
On a side note, a Colt door switch would be pretty nice for the man-cave 😉